What started as a joyous morning with families lining the streets to cheer on our Chiefs, quickly turned to a tragic afternoon filled with fear and panic. February 14th marked the 48th mass shooting of 2024 in America. It killed one local, beloved mother, and injured more than 20. Almost half of those injured were children, some with critical, life threatening injuries. It was a heartbreaking, maddening scene that unfolded on live television. Unfortunately, it is a common scenario in our country.
If you, like so many others in KC, feel a deep desire to demand change in our laws and policies to prevent future mass shootings, there are specific steps you can take to push for safer communities, stricter gun laws and common sense legislation. But please remember, our most powerful tool involves showing up to the ballot box. Vote only for those who promise to further this agenda, rather than line their pockets with money from gun manufacturers and lobbyists.
Take Action for Gun Reform with Three Simple Steps
Step 1: Know Your Representatives
Local, county, state and national leaders all matter and can be catalysts for change, especially if they know a registered voter is directly appealing for reform. Commoncause.org is a great place to pinpoint all those who represent you, including judges. They do not require an email address to access information.
Take note of office phone numbers and email addresses. Save them in your phone so you can easily copy and paste into a message. For federal leaders, make sure to send any and all messages to both their local and D.C. offices.
Step 2: Find out How Those Representatives Vote
Research and finding factual information is essential. Congress.gov is an important resource for constituents. Simply type in “gun reform” in the search bar to view past and current legislation. There you will find sponsors of a bill, amendments and if passed how each legislator voted.
In 2023, Senate Bill 25 was introduced to ban assault weapons, an issue the majority of Americans believe should be passed. Look to see how your senator voted.
Use the contact information you’ve already collected to draft letters and emails urging leaders to take real steps toward change. Follow the draft written by a D.C, Mom and add any wording you feel is necessary. Send these messages often. The squeaky wheel gets the grease!
Step 3: Seek Organizations Who are Advocating for Change
Find organizations advocating for gun reform and common sense legislation. There are local, state and national chapters working hard to provide factual information and ways we can change the landscape of our country. Join their mission. Donate to their cause. Share with your friends and family so they too can take part.
Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. Find your local chapter here.
Students Demand Action is an offshoot of Moms Demand Action, but led by young activists passionate about ending gun violence.
Lives on the Line KC. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram as they push for local (KS and MO) initiatives that will further the cause.
KC Mothers in Charge. KC Mothers in Charge cares for Kansas City families who have lost a loved one to homicide, providing victim and family services, education and advocacy.
Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the nation, and it believes in introducing evidence-based solutions in every town in America. It lists eight ways we can begin to curb mass shootings in America. Those action items include:
- Background checks on all firearm sales
- Extreme Risk Laws
- Prohibit people with dangerous histories from having guns
- Prohibit assault rifles
- Prohibit high capacity magazines
- Prohibit bump stocks and other conversion devices
- Block Silencer Deregulation
- Disarm hate
Read more about these regulations and why they are important to ending gun violence here. Use this verbiage when you are asking for change from your elected officials!
Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund works to pass legislation that advances school safety and mental health. It was founded in honor of the precious lives that were lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Another significant step toward change is to hold gun manufacturers and dealers accountable so they stop prioritizing profits over people. Find out about PLCAA here and why it’s important to repeal it in order to allow the gun industry to be held responsible when illegal practices take place.
Additional Ways to Help
- Vote in every election! Know who you are voting for and why. Voting is our voice, use it often and only support those candidates who campaign for reform! This is not a time to vote down the party line.
- Donate Blood. Go to savealifenow.org to find out how.
- Call friends and family. Have open and honest conversations about why this issue is near and dear to your heart. Encourage them to take the time to research, contact their reps and demand change.
- Contribute to #KCStrong, a partnership between the United Way and the Kansas City Chiefs to help the parade victims. Money will also go to local crime prevention efforts, first responders and more.
